TO: FCAPT N. Perim; VADM Rilem C. CC: CMDR Kozath; CMDR T'Press FROM: CMDR A. Freeman SUBJ: Unauthorized Encrypted Subspace Transmission
Fleet Captain,
I've been alerted to an unauthorized subspace transmission from our subspace transceiver directed towards the Gasko sector. The signal uses a level 3 Romulan encryption, and as of now has not been fully deciphered. As such I can't really say what the message is, who sent it or who the target is. We'll continue to work on it, though it might go smoother if we had assistance from the Republic detachment, as they have far more knowledge of these encryption methods.
I hate to speculate, but considering the facts known, it would be reasonable to suggest several possibilities here.
First that this signal is an official JSI Detachment transmission and the authorization was invalid, user error perhaps. Secondly that this signal was sent without authorization by republic personnel for reasons unknown, perhaps something of a personal nature. And finally, that this message was sent by someone who lacked the knowledge of our authorization codes. To the last possibility, I can further speculate that it is possible the sender was the new civilian arrival, a man named Kael. He is a former Imperial officer, who defected to the Federation in exchange for vital technical knowledge. Within the past 48 hours, Kael asked me for my authorization code so he might replicate several items which he claimed were for his work, but could also be used for the construction of a handheld disruptor. Of course I refused and told him that the Engineering Department would handle all requests for materials related to his work here.
If I had given him the code, he could have very easily sent this message unnoticed, as I didn't, it's possible that he tried to send it anyways.
Again this is speculation, and I am not accusing him directly for this. I suggest that the Security and Intelligence departments check into this matter, and Operations will continue it from our end. Currently we're attempting to determine where and how the signal was sent, to better find its origins.
Attached is the original automated notification I was alerted to.
Attached results of decryption efforts before message degraded beyond recovery capabilities. I have sent individuals to the console in question in order to retrieve the remainder from the outgoing message buffer. Should said buffer not have the data we're after, we are no longer looking at a simple unauthorized transmission, but tampering with starbase equipment as well.
In any case, should we not find what we need, note that the message mentions contacting 'Vurek' again. Though it doesn't specify from this very same console again, it might be worth setting all the Cantina consoles with some extra security features that will trigger the next time something like this happens, try to catch the guy in the act and all.
Good work, everyone, in dealing with this issue so promptly. I have confirmed that Mr. Kael Eial was the source of the unauthorized transmission.
Intelligence Department: Mr. Kael has provided an unencrypted copy of the message, which I have attached here. Please compare this message with the original and determine its authenticity. If the copy provided by Mr. Kael is not genuine, I want to know about it ASAP. He claims the message was of a personal nature, to his son, Vurek. Please attempt to verify this connection, and determine whether or not the message contains any electronic or written coding.
Security Department: Please look into adding additional security measures to the public-access consoles on the promenade decks. While I am satisfied with the quick resolution of this incident, in the future, I would prefer that such unauthorized transmissions be blocked at the time of the attempt.
Operations Department: Until further notice, in cooperation with Secuirty, monitor Mr. Kael's use of the station's systems. Flag and report any unusual or unauthorized activities. Please also ensure that Mr. Kael does not have access to any sensitive area or information, that is not directly pertinent to his assigned duties.
Engineering Department: Mr. Kael has joined the department as a Romulan Technology Specialist. Please see to it that he is provided with an assignment. I believe maintenance of Republic singularity systems would be a most efficient use of his skills, but I will leave the particulars to your discretion.
//SIGNED//
Fleet Captain Neema Perim
Commanding, Deep Space 13
Message: Applying Universal Translator for a Romulan Dialect
Vurek,
I know things have not been the same between us since the dissolution of house tr'Vaedn. The acceptance of your decision will be difficult to bear. I suppose it is foolish to think you would care about the goings on of your traitor father. A man with no house to his name or nation to his heart any longer. Events have not treated me well and I feel the need to speak with someone about matters very important to me. It seems the weapon that I had spent so many sleepness nights at the Ministry working on, instead of being with you as I should have, has once again come to define me.
We always had our differences but yet I feel you are the only person I can trust even after what you have done. It truly is both my failing as a father and a Rihannsu that a Tal Shiar is all I have left to trust. In my new life, I do derive some pleasure in thinking about how you would so enjoy this show I am putting on for the Republic! Though, in truth, I could have seen you more proud joining me among them. I suppose it is too late for that now. As noble their intentions may be, I would never take up arms against you, my only son. I will contact you again from here. Send no reply and I will assume you live; stubborn as your father.
Overheard Ensign Baxter talking about this. You seriously left me off this project? This kind of thing is why I'm literally sitting across the room from you.
Anyway, I'm putting what I can find about this worm in your encrypted folder. Fun fact: it looks like his defection was less about a desire to help his people & more of a family affair, when politics split his House in two ('Eial' literally means 'alone' in a certain dialect). Fun fact #2: He did quite a bit of the development in the field of thalaron weaponry. While I'm disposed to trust the initial vetting the Federation gave him when he went to work for Utopia Planitia, I am suspicious of his very active and public antagonism against Republic personnel, myself included. It's entirely out of character for a rihanha so stuck in the Imperial mindset that he still feels needs a sidearm at all times even though he's been working with the Federation for years. (I stopped complaining three years ago). This is something that would never happen in public on a Romulan starbase. He might respond to insults in public, but he'd never start them there, if he valued his career. The fact that he's doing it here should concern you.
On the other hand, if he does have Imperial contacts and survives your rigorous re-vetting, we can use him (and them) to get closer to the Nameless organization not far from Gasko. I've been looking for an introduction out there, and I don't need to remind you of that importance.
You obviously have a team running this so I'll not interfere at all, but if you ever need someone to toss insults in his direction as a distraction while you check his quarters or whatever, please give me a ring. I would be delighted.
Oh please, sweetheart. When this transmission came across my desk, you weren't even at yours. Figured you were off visiting your hubby in detention and didn't want to bug you with some paltry decryption task. As you can see, I had it all under control, so don't get your panties in a twist just cause you're itching to satisfy some decades old pissing match with your old bosses, mmkay?
You know what I find weird about him? The fact that he's starting fights at all. A real undercover agent wouldn't be so stupid. His public attitude just isn't right for someone who's planning something. But hey, thanks for the translation history. That'll come in real handy the next time I'm on New Rom and I gotta ask where the bathroom is.
Anyway, if you're so eager to get involved, the Fleet Captain still wants someone to check over the transmission for hidden messages and shite. So I'm just gonna hand that off to you, then, cool? Awesome! Thanks!
First -- it's not a "pissing match." It is the management of the razor-thin green line between life and death for billions of people -- my people, your people, people on planets who don't even know what industrial revolutions are yet. Second -- I didn't say I was eager to get involved. I thought you'd appreciate a chance to finally catch up with me after eating my dust for so long. (That can't be healthy, dear.) Why don't you do the search for hidden messages and I'll check your work so you don't look bad in front of Captain Perim? I know how much that means to you.
I tend to agree with your observation. My second thought on the subject was that he's using his behavior as a distraction. Perhaps he wants to make the Republic officers so angry they don't see what he's doing, or have Security look the other way because they're too concerned with breaking up fights with those rihannsu concerned with the honor of our Republic.
I'd say he's just a jerk, but I haven't lived as long as I have by shrugging things off. Maybe that's a lesson you can learn today, mm?
TO SCDR Aurelia SUBJ Re: Kael Eial, plus your new assignment! (encrypted)
Jesus Christ on toast, woman! Every time I think your ego cannot possibly get any bigger, I turn the corner and run face first into it ballooning out the damn door. You really gotta go visit the tailor and borrow some of his sewing needles. Pop you down to size right quick.
Distraction is a possibility, I'll give you that. But if that's the case, then he has to have accomplices, or he can't get shite done with all those eyes on him. If you or any of your other green-blooded buddies notice him hanging around any other folk who have suspiciously boring backstories, then maybe we'll have something to talk about. Til then, you're just gonna have to let him blow smoke, cause we got nothing on him except a transmission to his kid and a whole lot of paranoid Republic attitudes.
You're right about me wanting to look good in front of Perim, though. Lemme know when you wanna get together and compare track records on that front, so you can give me some tips. Or don't you have one of those?
Your favorite boss,
Alleya
P. S.
No, really, you're scanning for hidden messages. That's an order.
If my ego was 'down to size,' I'd be useless to you, boss. Get used to my ego. Enjoy my ego. Love my ego. I'm good at my job, I know I'm good, and I'm not going to act like a meek little epohh just because it makes the Federation species in the office feel better about themselves.
At any rate, we still have a lot of options for monitoring and controlling the situation. He's going to have co-workers, he's going to have to reach out to Federation officers... he wants to, from what I overheard, have some meaningful Federation connections. Perhaps we can provide that. We can have those people who find themselves near him drop some anti-Republic sentiment to make him feel cozier, and he'll get too comfortable, and give us a little peek through the curtain... I overheard that he wanted to have a good relationship with Commander Freeman, so that's a good place to start. And I'm sure you'll have no problem coaching the Commander about how to complain about Romulans.
I'll let you know as soon as possible if I find anything in that decryption. I'm hoping so. I'm going to enjoy wiping that smug smile off his face.
